Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | August 27th 2025 | 2:00 pm
What an amazing outing out on the water! Today we headed northbound to follow reports of Killer Whales near Saturna Island. On the way we stopped by White Rocks and learned more about Transient Killer Whale prey by observing dozens of seals hauled out on the rocks. Many of these seals were small and young having just come out of this year’s pupping season. Seals in this area have gotten to carrying capacity meaning that they are at the highest population the ecosystem can sustain. This abundant populus allows our transient killer whales to thrive in this area.
After getting to the south side of Saturna island, we immediately got great views of our killer whales – the T049As. This family is lead by a mother (Nan) and contains here youngest 4 children (Nat, Neptune, Nebula, and Charlie II). We watched them follow the coast into Narvaez Bay and then out into a no boat zone which restricted us to further views but was still spectacular to see them. At one point they stopped and stayed in one area thrashing a bit which may have been a brief capture of prey. This family is always fun to watch as the variety of their five dorsal fins come up together when their breathes synchronize.
On our way back we followed Spieden Island in search of wildlife which was a success. On our search we found Fallow Deer and Mouflon Sheep (two exotic species from Europe released on the island back when it was a hunting safari island), a bald eagle (we have been seeing less the past couple weeks as breeding season ends and they have followed salmon up into the mainland so great to see one here), and the highlight of a seal eating a salmon. This seal was taking their time and putting on a show of eating the Pink Salmon which was super exciting to watch in action. Pink Salmon are highly abundant every 2 years, and this year has been a great year for them. We watched them jumping constantly throughout the entire trip and they only seem to be jumping increasingly as the season progresses.
Today really showcased the interconnectedness of the community here. From salmon to seal to whales to us. What a great trip out in the Salish Sea!